According to data released by Cui Dongshu, secretary general of CPCA, China’s vehicle exports reached 939,000 units in April 2026, up 51% year-on-year and 19% month-on-month. Export value totaled $16.1 billion, up 44% from a year earlier.
Cumulatively, China exported 3.28 million vehicles in the first four months of 2026, up 52% year-on-year, while total export value rose 54% to $56.9 billion, extending the strong growth trend seen over the past two years.
From a broader perspective, China’s auto exports have clearly entered a new phase. Back in 2021, monthly vehicle exports were mostly in the range of 200,000 to 300,000 units.
By 2023, monthly exports had stabilized above 500,000 units. Toward the end of 2024, monthly exports approached 1 million units for the first time, and April 2026 once again moved close to that level.
One major factor behind the export growth has been changes in global energy prices.
International oil prices have remained elevated in recent months, further strengthening the cost advantages of new energy vehicles and directly boosting overseas demand for Chinese EVs.
At the same time, Chinese automakers have rapidly upgraded their overseas product mix.
In previous years, China’s auto exports relied heavily on cost competitiveness and internal combustion engine vehicles, but NEVs have now become the core driver of export growth.
Chinese brands have seen particularly strong sales growth for battery electric and plug-in hybrid models in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Europe.
The fact that export value growth has consistently outpaced export volume growth also reflects structural changes in China’s auto exports.
The industry previously depended more on price-driven volume expansion, but higher-value vehicles are now accounting for a larger share.
Products featuring advanced intelligent driving functions, higher-priced electric SUVs and MPVs are increasingly becoming the backbone of China’s export growth.
In comparison, auto parts exports have grown at a steadier pace.
Data showed that China’s auto parts exports totaled $8.6 billion in April 2026, up 7% year-on-year, supported in part by strong repair and after-sales demand in mature markets such as Europe and North America.
Over the past several years, China’s overseas automotive expansion relied heavily on parts supply chains. That model is now gradually shifting toward complete vehicle exports as the main growth engine.
From BYD, Chery, MG and Geely to newer EV-focused brands such as Leapmotor, Nio and XPeng, Chinese automaker
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